Cleaning and massaging device



Jan. 30, 1940. w. c. STEWART CLEANING AND MASSAGING DEVICE Fiied sept. 25, 195s .HIIII H H H Plllllllllll wmmlflmlam.

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@ @www @tm lvm ma Patented Jans 30, 1940 UNITED STATES OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relatesto a cleaning and massaging device designed primarily for cleaning the teeth and massaging the gums of a person, but it is to be understood that a device, in accordance with this invention is for use in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The. invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to, including revoluble means for action on the teeth or gums for respectively cleaning and massaging them.

The invention further aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to, including oppositely revoluble spring controlled invertible means for action on the teeth or gums for cleaning the former and massaging the latter. y

The invention further aims tov provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of the class referred to, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, having its operation conveniently controlled from the user, thoroughly eicient when used, including a revoluble element for action on .the teeth and gums and with such element capable of being expeditiously inverted when desired, readily assembled, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the aforesaid aims and others which may directly or indirectly hereinafter appear, thefinvention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more speciiically referred to and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,A but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall Within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation partly in section of the device and showing the position of the operating means, in full lines at the end of the stroke for imparting an. anti-clockwise movement to the cleaning element for the teeth, the position` ofY said means in dotted lines at the end of the stroke for imparting a clockwise movement to said element, and the position of said element, in dotted lines when inverted,

Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a front elevation, upon an enlarged scale, of the cleaning element for the teeth,

Figure 4 is a side elevation, upon an enlarged scale, of the cleaning element and its d-riving spindle, and illustrating in dotted lines said element when inverted,

Figure 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Figure l,

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional View, upon an enlarged scale, of the cleaning element with the bristles not shown, and

Figure 7 is a front elevation of the massaging element.

The device includes an open front casing I of oval contour in cross section and of the desired width, breadth and length. The casing I is constructed from any suitable material, preferably light metal and has a closed rounded outer end 2. The open front of casing I is closed by a cover 3 formed with apertured lugs 4 extending into casing l and secured to the latter by the countersunk screws Ei. The cover 3 is provided with an outwardly directed threaded stud 6 for a purpose to be referred to.

The casing i has arranged therein a partition l extending from the cover 3 and terminating in spaced relation to the end 2. The inner end of partition l has a portion 8 disposed in transverse relation with respect to casing I. The latter includes the side walls 9, I D, top wall I I and bottom wall l2. The partition Ill and its inner portion 8, in connection with the walls and end 2 of casing I provides the latter with a compartment E3 at its outer end and a pair of side compartments ld, l5. The compartment I4 opens into compartment i3. The compartment I5 is substantially closed to compartment I3. The partition l and lits end portion 8 are integral with the top, bottom and side walls of the casing l. The end portion 8 of partition 'I is formed with an opening i6. The side wall I0 of casing l is provided lengthwise thereof wtih a slot I'I.

The top and bottom walls Il, l2 of the casing in proximity to casing end 2, are formed with aligned openings I8, i9. The latter is of less diameter than opening I8. The bottom wall I2 of casing l adjacent opposite sides of opening I9 is formed with a pair of threaded openings 2li. Extending through opening i9 into chamber I3 is a bearing 2l having its lower end formed with'a laterally extended apertured flange 22 which abuts the outer face of Wall l2, and it is secured to the latter by screws 23 extending through the flange 22 and threadedly engaging with the walls of the openings 20.

Extending through opening I8 intochamber I3 is a vertically disposed bearing 24 for a spindle 25. The latter is formed of an enlarged circular lower portion 26 and a reduced upper portion 21 of rectangular cross section formed with a recess 2B in one side thereof. At the junction of the portions 2G, 21 of the spindle a shoulder 29 of segmental contour in cross section is formed. The upper end 3U of bearing 24 is of a contour the same as and overlaps shoulder 29. The lower part of the portion 26 of spindle 25 is formed with oppositely extending diametrically opposed cutouts 3I opening at the periphery and also at the inner end of the spindle.

Arranged within the compartment I3 is an oppisitely revoluble driver 32 for the spindle 25. The driver consists of a grooved pulley 33 seated on the upper end of bearing 2|, a shaft 34 depending from pulley 33 and extending through bearing 2|, a circular disc 35 integral with the upper face of, disposed coaxially with and of less diameter than the pulley 33, and a keeper 36 ci angular form integral with the upper face and axially of the disc 35. The lower end of bearing 24 seats on pulley 33 and encompasses the disc 35. The bearing 24 is welded to the top wall II of casing I. Secured to the spindle 25, within the cut-outs 3I are a pair of oppositely disposed resilient latching members 31 of like form. The said members depend from the bottom of spindle 25 and have angular lower end portions 31a which coact with the keeper 33 for releasably latching the driver 32 and spindle together, whereby on the revolving of the driver, the spindle will be bodily carried therewith.

The device includes a cleaning element 33 of brush-like form for the teeth. The element 33 consists of a head 33 and a flared circular row of tufts of bristle 40. The head 3E! includes end portions 4i, ila of like form consisting of circular part 4Ib having oppositely disposed lateral extensions 4I, 4Id of rectangular form, and an intermediate portion 42 of greater diameter and thickness than the portions 4I, Me. The said portions of the head 39 are arranged coaxially. The head 39 is formed with a radially disposed rectangular groove 43 which opens at its end surfaces and at one side of its outer periphery. The depth of groove 43 is greater than one-half of the diameter of said head. The head 39 is formed with a bore 44 disposed at right angles to and intersected, at its transverse median by the groove 43.

The extensions 4Id of the head end portions are provided with diametrically disposed aligned spaced threaded sockets 45, communicating at their inner end with openings i6 which communicate with the groove 43. The bristles 4G are anchored at their inner ends into that part of the outer end surface of the head portion 42 which borders the head side portions.

The outer or reduced portion of the spindle 25 is mounted in the groove 43 of the head 33. The recess 28 in spindle 25 is to selectively align with the openings 46 of the head 39. The latter and spindle 25 are latched together, and for each purpose headed latching members 41 are arranged in sockets 45, extend through openings 46 and selectively engage in the recess 38. Arranged within the sockets are holding springs 48 for releasably retaining a member 41 in the recess 28. Threadedly engaging with the walls of the sockets 45 are threaded compressing and holding members 49 for the springs 48.

The cleaning element 38 is invertible with respect to spindle 25, and for such purpose, a trunnion pin 50 is mounted in bore 45, extends through the groove 43 and an opening 5i)a formed in the portion 21 of spindle 25. The spring controlled latching members coact with the recess 28 for latching element 38 in its selected position. The groove 43 provides a clearance when inverting element 38 and when restoring it to normal position.

The device includes a reciprocatory spring controlled operating means 5I for the driver 32, and such means consists of a tubular slide 52 which is mounted on and conforms in contour to the outer periphery of casing I, an oppositely shiftable cable 53 for revolving the driver 32 in a clockwise and an anti-clockwise direction, a controlling spring 54, a flanged thimble 55 and a combined cable coupling and takeup means 56.

The means 56 is anchored to the inner face of the slide 52 and extends through the slot I1 into the compartment I4. The means 56 consists of a yoke-shape member 51 anchored by the screws 58 to the slide 52. The arms of member 51 ride against the partition 1 and are formed with aligned openings through which extends a threaded bolt 5821 carrying a take-up nut 59 on its outer end. The inner end of bolt 58 is connected within the compartment I4, as at 6D, to the outer end of the cable 53. The latter is arranged in the compartments I3, I4 and I5 and passes around the pulley 33 in the groove of the latter. The cable 53 also passes through the opening I5, in the portion of partition 1. The thimble 55 is mounted on and secured to the inner end terminal portion of the cable 53, and its flange, indicated at 6I, rides against the walls of the compartment I5. The spring 54 is of the coiled type, and it is mounted on the cable 53 between the flange 6I of the thimble 55 and the portion 8 of the partitions 1. The said portion 8 constitutes an abutment for the spring 54, for the purpose of compressing the latter when cable 53 is pulled in a direction to impart a clockwise movement to the driver 32.

Welded to opposite sides of the slide 52 are a pair of aligned oppositely extending ringer receiving rings 62 which form elements of the operating means 5l.

Detachably connected to the stud 6 is a threaded sleeve 63 which is formed integral with a thumb receiving ring 64.

With reference to Figure 7, a gum massaging element of brush-like form indicated at 65, is shown and it is of the same construction as element 38, with this exception that the bristles 66 of element 65 are rubberized.

The device, in accordance with this invention,

has been devised as a result of careful study of the necessity for prophylaxis, care and preservation of teeth. Dentists throughout the world use a revolving type of instrument for cleaning teeth but vastly different from this device. ation of the device is simple, rapid and thorough. It minimizes the separation and destruction of the protective tissue collar membrane around the teeth which is attached to the gums holding them in close apposition to the teeth. Tooth brushes now in use break down this membrane and separate the gums from the teeth by pushing the gums upward and downward thus opening up new avenues for infection which result in decay and destruction of teeth.

The revolving type of brush forming an element of this invention follows along the margin of convexity of the gums around the upper teeth and along the margin of concavity of the gums around the lower teeth as they dip pointedly into the inter-dental spaces, thus cleansing the entire circumference of the exposed surface of the teeth. The device is so devised that the user can cleanse either the anterior or posterior surface of the teeth with either hand from any convenient pos- The opertural position without impinging upon the lips,4 face or chin of the user. I

Relative to the operation of the device, the' thumb is inserted into the ring 64 of the' device with the element 38 pointing toward the teeth, at the same time the user inserts the index iinger into the ring 62 which is toward the user, the second finger is inserted into the opposite ring 62.

The device is now in position for operation. As`

the user separates his lips holding the upper and lower teeth in close apposition the brush is pressed against the teeth lightly, he Anow pulls toward the thumb, the two rings into which are inserted the index and second fingers, as he pulls these rings 62 he will note that the brush revolves in one direction, he now releases the pulling operation slightly permitting the two rings 62 to move upward which is caused by the recoil of the spring. As the rings 62 move upward, the user notes that the brush revolves in the opposite direction. The brush can be moved either slowly or rapidly over the surface of both the upper and lower teeth at the same time, and can bekept in a constant revolvable motion. The ease, extent, rapidity, force and eiciency of this operation depends entirely upon the user.

The cleansing of the posterior surface of the teeth is accomplished in the same way except that the operator inverts the element 38. This must be done to cleanse the posterior surface of the teeth. The direction of the .element 33 is reversed until it locks in the spindle. The user now notes that the bristles point away lfrom instead of toward the teeth. When this is accomplished he now opens his mouth slightly so that the upper and lower teeth are separated sufficiently to permit the brush to pass between and beyond the upper and lower teeth, he now closes the mouth so that the upper and lower teeth come in contact with the instrument, the lips being closed lightly at the same time, keeping in mindaccomplished in cleansing the anterior surface of the teeth.

When massaging the gums the element 65 is employed with the same type of operation as that used in cleansing the teeth.

The elements 38, 65 may be cleansed without removing or the user may remove them easilyby pulling the brush upward which is attached to the spindle, disconnect the latter and then clean the brush. The latter spindle jointly forms one unit. f

What I claim is:

l. In a cleaning and massaging device, a brush element including a head having a radial groove extending the entire width of the head, a revoluble spindle extending into and co-acting with walls of said groove for revolving said element,

means mounted in said element at right angles to and extending through said spindle for pivotally supporting and permitting of the inverting of said element relative to said spindle, said brush element including a flared circular row of tufts of bristles secured to and projecting from one end of said head, and said element and spindle having co-acting means for selectively latching the element to the spindle in normal and inverted positions.

2. In a cleaning and massaging device, a brush velement comprising a head having a pair of end portions and an intermediate portion projecting laterally beyond said end portions, said head havingr a groove opening at the end surfaces and at one side of the periphery thereof, said end p0rtions being formed with sockets opening into said groove, a spindle extending into said groove for 

